By IANS,
Melbourne : Cricket Australia (CA) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Tuesday appointed James Strong as the chairman of the local organising committee for the 2015 ICC World Cup.
Strong is the chairman of Woolworths Limited, a non-executive director of Qantas Airways Limited, chairman of Kathmandu Holdings and the chairman of Australian Council for the Arts.
Strong is also a member of the board of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, which stages the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and the Australian Motor Cycle Grand Prix. He is a former chief executive of Qantas Group and group chief executive of DB Group Limited in New Zealand. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2006.
“I am absolutely delighted to be involved in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup to be jointly hosted by New Zealand and Australia. Both countries have a great track record of organising major sporting events, and share a passion for cricket.
“The recent ICC 2011 Cricket World Cup showcased One-day cricket as a fast paced and highly competitive form of a great game. We are working to develop an exciting tournament with matches in both countries, which will capture public imagination here and throughout the cricketing world,” Strong said.
The local organising committee chairman’s appointment was made following an extensive executive search process conducted on behalf of NZC and CA.
Strong will lead the board overseeing the delivery of the 2015 Cricket World Cup, including the appointment of the chief executive officer.
CA chairman Jack Clarke was delighted at Strong’s appointment.
“Cricket is very fortunate to have attracted James Strong to lead the ICC CWC 2015 Local Organising Committee. James’ experience of heading large multi-national enterprises will assist the World Cup to be an event that will attract fans from all over the world,” said Clarke in a statement.
“The event will leave a lasting legacy for cricket in Australia and New Zealand and promote our sport not only in Australia and New Zealand but all around the world,” Clarke added.
NZC chairman, Chris Moller, said the 2015 cricket World Cup will be one of the biggest sports and entertainment events to be delivered in New Zealand and Australia.
“It will require strong and experienced leadership to deliver a successful event on a global stage and we are confident that James Strong has the expertise to provide such leadership,” he said,” he said.
The organising committee will comprise the independent chairman, two representatives from both NZC and CA and the potential for up to two additional independent appointees. The appointment of an independent director, who could be the deputy chairman, is expected in the near future.